City of Albany, CA
Home MenuInstallation & Disposal of Smoke Alarms
Where Do I Install Them?
Every Level
Regardless if your home is a split level.
Every Bedroom and Den
Ceiling placement best. Two feet back in the room from center of the doorway. An alternate placement can be on the wall (centered over the door) 4-12” from the ceiling.
Every Hallway
Placed farthest away from the bathroom, as steam can trigger a false alarm.
Every Living Area
Living room, dining room, rumpus room, and family room area.
Photoelectric Smoke Alarms are True Life Insurance
Early warning is paramount so more is better! Photoelectric smoke alarms respond considerably faster to lethal smoldering fires and false alarm less often than alarms with ionization sensors. This is why we recommend photoelectric-only units rather than ionization or ionization/photoelectric combination alarms.
When in Doubt Increase the Amount!
Redundancy is your friend! A three bedroom split level home can easily have six to seven smoke alarms, so do not skimp!
Beware "Dead Air" Space
The angle of the ceiling (where the walls and ceiling meet) is called “dead-air-space”. Smoke will resist moving into this area of the room. Never place your alarm within 4” of this area.
Vaulted Ceilings Need Special Attention
Do not place alarm in the “dead-air-space. If you measure 36 inches down from the apex of the ceiling and draw a level line across, you can place the alarm anywhere in this area with the exception of the “Dead-Air” Space (refer to Beware “Dead Air” Space above).
Smoke Alarms Have a Maximum Coverage of 15 ft in Each Direction
If you place the alarm on a wall (acceptable) you now have limited the coverage to one direction.
Dust is an Enemy of Smoke Alarms
When you vacuum; vacuum around the outside of the alarm housing.
Do Not Wait for the "Chirp"
Replace your batteries at least once a year (unless the alarm if fitted with a long-life lithium battery). If your smoke alarm is chirping it is telling you it needs a battery change.
Never Disable Your Smoke Alarm!
If your alarm falsely triggers an alarm; wave a towel with two hands to introduce clean air. Photoelectric smoke alarms false alarm less often than alarms with ionization sensors. This is why we recommend photoelectric-only units rather than any type of ionization (combination) alarms.
Every Bedroom and Den
Ceiling placement best. Two feet back in the room from center of the doorway. An alternate placement can be on the wall (centered over the door) 4-12” from the ceiling.
Every Hallway
Placed farthest away from the bathroom, as steam can trigger a false alarm.
Every Living Area
Living room, dining room, rumpus room, and family room area.
Smoke Alarm Must Knows
Photoelectric Smoke Alarms are True Life InsuranceEarly warning is paramount so more is better! Photoelectric smoke alarms respond considerably faster to lethal smoldering fires and false alarm less often than alarms with ionization sensors. This is why we recommend photoelectric-only units rather than ionization or ionization/photoelectric combination alarms.
When in Doubt Increase the Amount!
Redundancy is your friend! A three bedroom split level home can easily have six to seven smoke alarms, so do not skimp!
Beware "Dead Air" Space
The angle of the ceiling (where the walls and ceiling meet) is called “dead-air-space”. Smoke will resist moving into this area of the room. Never place your alarm within 4” of this area.
Vaulted Ceilings Need Special Attention
Do not place alarm in the “dead-air-space. If you measure 36 inches down from the apex of the ceiling and draw a level line across, you can place the alarm anywhere in this area with the exception of the “Dead-Air” Space (refer to Beware “Dead Air” Space above).
Smoke Alarms Have a Maximum Coverage of 15 ft in Each Direction
If you place the alarm on a wall (acceptable) you now have limited the coverage to one direction.
Dust is an Enemy of Smoke Alarms
When you vacuum; vacuum around the outside of the alarm housing.
Do Not Wait for the "Chirp"
Replace your batteries at least once a year (unless the alarm if fitted with a long-life lithium battery). If your smoke alarm is chirping it is telling you it needs a battery change.
Never Disable Your Smoke Alarm!
If your alarm falsely triggers an alarm; wave a towel with two hands to introduce clean air. Photoelectric smoke alarms false alarm less often than alarms with ionization sensors. This is why we recommend photoelectric-only units rather than any type of ionization (combination) alarms.
What do I do with my old smoke alarm?
Smoke detectors typically fall within two categories: photoelectric and ionization. When it comes to disposal, old photoelectric detectors can be safely put in the trash, so long as you remove the battery first.
Ionization detectors contain a small amount of Americium 241, a radioactive isotope. Therefore, recommend sending them back to the manufacturers whenever possible. Visit USPS website & US Fire Administration website for more information.